Question

I apologize if this has been answered previously, but I have a question about employment in the UK with the goal of establishing citizenship.  I am currently attending Cal State Fullerton working on my Bachelors in Management of Information Systems as well as Criminal Justice (yes, dual Bachelors).  If I were to gain a job using Bunac, would finding a replacement job to extend my stay be difficult?  Would I still be considered an "international hire"?  I'm looking for a job either in IT (Web design, programming, or Network/System Administration) or in the Police Force (although this is doubtful for non-citizens).

Thanks all for your replies.

Might be wrong forum, but if entry via a Work Permit is too difficult would an Academic Visa be slightly easier to receive?  What would be the UK equivalent of the US Major (after Bachelor)?

Hi Daniel

Once your Bunac visa expires you would be in the same position as any other non-EU citizen wishing to stay here, so if you were offered a job here ou would need the employer to apply for a work permit on your behalf and I believe they can only do so if you are outside the UK.  I don't know anything about police recruitment but I think your hunch is probably right, they can't take on people who don't already have the right to work here.

Good luck with your plans.

Go Titans!

Hi Daniel

Once your Bunac visa expires you would be in the same position as any other non-EU citizen wishing to stay here, so if you were offered a job here ou would need the employer to apply for a work permit on your behalf and I believe they can only do so if you are outside the UK.  I don't know anything about police recruitment but I think your hunch is probably right, they can't take on people who don't already have the right to work here.

Good luck with your plans.

Go Titans!

So if I were to get a new job while still on the Bunac visa I would have to leave the country, get the work permit issued, and then re-enter the country?  I guess I need to go back to looking for a job agency that helps IT professionals from outside the UK get a job in the UK. 

Yes, there are some exceptons but being on a Bunac visa does not seem to be one of them.

http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/working_in_the_uk/en/homepage/work_permits/frequently_asked_questions.html?

Thanks for your reply.. After I get my degree I'll give Bunac a shot.. as well as getting a job agency to assist me and see what happens.  I hope I make it in. 

Just to let you know that a couple of friends of mine who were here on 2 year working holiday visas (both antipodean) got their jobs to sponsor them. They are sponsored for 4 years and can only work for that employer. Sounds like a good deal unless you are stuck in a job that you end up disliking (like friend #1 -- he is rather miserable but his girlfriend just had a baby and he is stuck!)

Moral of the story: if you do get sponsored you are tied to that company. At least that is what happened with my mates.

Any disimilar experiences?

Anybody know of a Job Agency that specialises in IT field?  Or a Job Agency that will help find an US citizen a job in IT?

Just to let you know that a couple of friends of mine who were here on 2 year working holiday visas (both antipodean) got their jobs to sponsor them. They are sponsored for 4 years and can only work for that employer. Sounds like a good deal unless you are stuck in a job that you end up disliking (like friend #1 -- he is rather miserable but his girlfriend just had a baby and he is stuck!)

Moral of the story: if you do get sponsored you are tied to that company. At least that is what happened with my mates.

Any disimilar experiences?

Yes you are tied to a specific job.  I know people like that too but when they've been here for 4 years they can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain and then they can work where they like. 

Anybody know of a Job Agency that specialises in IT field?  Or a Job Agency that will help find an US citizen a job in IT?

There are many agencies that specialize in IT.  One that I know of is call Hudson (they are also in the US).  I think their website is www.hudson.com.  Your only problem is going to be that most of these agencies already want you to be here, not in the US.  I addition, most employers here have to open up vacanies to UK or EU nationals first.  If they can't find someone to fill the roles, than they can look elsewhere.

Your best bet might be to work for a large company in the US that has offices in the UK, then ask for a transfer over here.  That is what I did, though having dual nationality (UK/US) helped, I'm sure.

bvamin

Daniel, my only concern for you is that the IT field is oversaturated in the UK, as it is in many parts of the US. I think you'd have a hard time finding a company that would hire you and sponsor your visa. If you have any other skills that you could use that are rare here, I'd recommend going down that route.

Or like bvamin said, working with a US company who has offices in the UK. That's a very good idea.

Daniel,

As Ashley and others have alluded to, you need to have a specific and practical skill that a U.K. employer would be hardpressed to find elsewhere to count on a job here. It's the same in the States (where a highly skilled U.S. citizen would get a job before an equally skilled foreigner would--and that only makes sense, as countries should look after their own first). The fact you have dual majors really doesn't matter, as many people get dual bachelor's degrees these days, or, at the very least, have a minor to go with their single degree.

On another note, I'm curious as to why, if you don't have a job lined up here, or a romantic interest here, you've set your sights on living here? I hope your answer isn't simply that you think the UK is "cool"--you like the music, or the accent, or the wit. What you're suggesting is a MAJOR life change. Perhaps, if you can afford it, you should spend a few months here (you can stay up to six)--give yourself enough time to get over the "honeymoon" period and get accustomed to day-to-day life--before you even worry about finding a job here/getting citizenship, etc. Just a thought.